Question:
complusive food buying
Iam 8 months out, down 120lbs. For the last 2 months I have been spending emmormous amount of money on FOOD. I got two big frigs packed to the hilt and one huge freezer. I have been cooking up gourmet like meals for my family and they are all in Hog Heaven!! All these years I have hated cooking and now look at me now!! I enjoy food so much now and eat only small portions. But cooking has become my passion!! I can't stop myself and I am wondering if anyone else has felt this way about food? Do you think I have a disorder of some kind??? — Laura G. (posted on August 16, 2002)
August 16, 2002
Well, I can't say whether it is a disorder or not...but I have found that
my new sport is buying food more than ever,too. Crazy, huh? The other day I
went to my cousin's for a cookout and they asked me to bring macaroni
salad. I made three kinds and enough for an army! Enjoyed making the salads
and watching everyone eat them too. No harm done...
All I know is people with eating disorders are commonly in the food
industry (chefs, dieticians, etc..not that all those who pursue those
fields have eating disorders, but many with eating disorders pursue those
fields) so maybe it is part and parcel of our new eating patterns. Who
knows...if we are not getting in trouble with it, who cares!!!! Take care
and enjoy...
— Ann B.
August 16, 2002
This is really strange. I have been doing the same thing. I went to Sam's
last week and bought 2 huge boxes of cinnamon buns, 10 pounds of assorted
candy bars, and a huge box of animal crackers. I then went grocery
shopping and bought groceries totaling $190 for just 3 people. My freezer
can take no more and my pantry is overflowing. I didn't realize this until
my 16 year old son asked me why I was buying all this food mainly for him
and his dad. I won't partake of about 98% of the things I have purchased,
but I think it's my brain still wanting these things (although I really
never was a chocoholic like them). I will cook elaborate and very fattening
food for them and not touch it. I believe I am cooking things that I used
to eat the most of. I really don't know, but I think I still have a lot of
issues with food. I feel like I am still hoarding it, I'm just not hiding
and eating it anymore.
— Janie C.
August 16, 2002
Like I mention to Siobahn Kennedy- it sounds as if you are trying to fill a
void. You can't eat- so you cook! You need to speak to a therapist.
While I don't think what you are doing is harmful (unless you start to
overspend) you still have compulsions that are not "normal" (what
is normal, though?). You may want to see if you could turn this around
yourself; for instance: make an INVENTORY (use the computer!) of your
fridge (and you clothes buyers- do the same with your closet) Tape this
inventory to the fridge (or closet) and also keep a copy of it when you go
to stores. You will know what you have and it may make you realize you
DON'T NEED A THING! Or start working on the side at a catering company,
feeding the elderly (or used clothing store; or a used clothing provider
for shelter inhabitants)... Perhaps being around it 24-7, will turn you off
quickly. Just be wary of picking up another obsession! I wonder why
anyone doesn't get house cleaning compulsions? I mean, that is one thing I
would love to be compulsive about. :)
— Karen R.
August 16, 2002
It's so good to see I'm not alone! I do the same thing. Buy tons of stuff
I don't belong eating. I don't eat it, but I still have it in the house.
Also, shortly after surgery (maybe because I was home from work for 2
weeks) I got hooked on the Food Network. So hooked that I had it on ALL
the time, no matter what I was doing. I've gotten over that now I think.
Its been 8 months since my surgery and every month or so I trade one
obsession for the next. This past few days I've been cleaning out closets
and reorganizing everything. Not that my man is complaining at all, he
just thinks I'm weird. I guess we find ways to fill the void thats left
after the ability to overeat is taken from us.
— Monica H.
August 16, 2002
Im still pre-op but what it sounds like to me including the previous
posters is..... there is an issue of control. Sort of like proving to
yourself over and over again that you, for probably the first time, are in
control over the "food". Thats just my take on it. :-)
— Dawn E.
August 16, 2002
Your question was so interesting to me! I, too, have enjoyed a renewed
interest in food since my RNY. I cannot eat much, but I want to make sure
that the little bit I can eat is GOURMET! I love trying out new recipes
and trying to make old recipes lower in fat/calories! I love watching the
Food Channel and really, really enjoy making fantastic meals for my husband
(who has lost 60 lbs. "the hard way" probably as a result of my
renewed interest in cooking healthy meals). My opinion is that we are
interested in food buying/cooking post-op because 1) we have more energy
and 2) we love food and are trying to find ways to enjoy it without
actually eating much of it!!! I think your "compulsion" is
innocuous. Enjoy!
— Terissa R.
August 16, 2002
Hi. For me the compulsion is just to buy something. Shortly after my RNY I
began buying soap, toothpaste, laundry detergent, etc. and stocking up on
it. I had so many paper towels that you could not open my bedroom closet.
My husband put up with it for a little while and finally said enough! Well
my newest obsession is remodeling. I have him at home right now painting my
bedroom. ( I bet he wish I was still buying toilet paper). I figure at
least I'm not eating.
— Janet R.
August 16, 2002
I just thought I would add my two cents to your question regarding
increased food buying and cooking. I had RNY 15 weeks ago. I am down
55lbs. I enjoyed cooking before but now I love it. Fresh corn is in season
here and I buy some every two days. I insist on the freshest and finest of
everything. I have always loved to be around food and now can do so guilt
free. I hope my hubbie loses a few pounds in the process. I feel like the
French. Eat small portions of expertly prepared dishes. BON Appetite!!!
— Cynthia C.
August 16, 2002
I can totally relate to this question. Since my surgery in March, I would
think of all the money I would save on my grocery bill, but that is not
really the case. I have my freezer full of food I will never probably eat
in a life time. I live alone so most of it will probably waste. I tend to
go to the grocery store and buy things that sound good at the time but when
I get home I no longer want it so it sits in my fridge or cabinet until I
throw it out. I think alot of it is a security or greed issue that I know
the food is there and its a comfort for it being there. I feel bad because
I waste alot of food and there are people starving in this country
everywhere. As far as cooking becoming your passion- I don't think its a
disorder but maybe it's because food is not our enemies any more. I know
when I fix a big meal for someone it is a gratification and the funny thing
is it might be something I loved pre-op say like lasagna and now I really
have no desire for it so I won't pig out on it. Good luck!
— Jennifer G.
August 19, 2002
I find that I enjoying cooking at the house when my boyfriend comes up to
visit me, because he still has to eat and this way I can eat what I want
and not be charged and outrageous price for something I won't eat or don't
like. It just seems to be easier for me to eat at home. I just feel more
comfortable. When I go down to his house we go out to eat all the time. I
am not obsessing over food...I am obsessing over my workouts. Good luck on
your compulsive buying food.
— Patricia L.
Click Here to Return